Merge DA with pay: Ex-Defence Employees Welfare Association demanded

The Ex-Defence Employees Welfare Association here demanded merger of dearness allowances (DA) in the basic pay of the Central Government pensioners as DA has exceeded by over 50 per cent by now. Currently, the Central Government pays DA at 72 per cent of the basic pay to its employees as well as pensioners.

Association president KC Mallick said while the earlier Pay Commissions had a provision of merger of DA with the basic pay if it exceeded 50 per cent, the same was discontinued in the Sixth Pay Commission which made the pay structure in 2006. “The very concept of DA and its merger with basic pay after reaching 50 per cent has been overlooked by the Sixth Pay Commission. Now, the DA would be increased by 8 per cent this month taking it to 80 per cent of the basic pay. So, soon the dearness allowances should be merged with the basic pay,” Mallick demanded.

Secretary BP Mohanty demanded that the Indian Railways should give 50 per cent concession to the male senior citizens. The association further demanded monthly medical allowance of Rs 300 for pensioners to be raised to Rs 1,000 per month.

A free health checkup was organised in which over 100 retired employees of the Proof and Experimental Establishment of Chandipur tested their blood sugar and blood pressure.